The first year of the Missoula Marathon was an award winning heat wave. It's the kind of year that nobody wants to stand out in the blazing heat for 6 hours. I've heard plenty of stories of marathons where entire aid stations simply fail to appear in their appointed place on the appointed day at the appointed time. This is a race director's nightmare.

Not only did all our aid stations all show up that first torturously hot year (and the 2nd year as well), but they improvised and problem solved and took the initiative to make their aid station the best it could be for the athletes under difficult conditions.

Being as our event is smack dab in the middle of the summer, we know we need a lot of aid stations. 18 stations requires a lot of people and a lot of effort and coordination. These are the people who keep you going just when you're thinking that perhaps you would have liked it better if the race ended a mile or two back. Be sure to thank them on your way by.

Here are just some the organizations you can plan on being there for you in 2009:

Hercules Mortgage, Montana Preferred Properties, Bronc Brew, Homeowner's Association, Garlington Lohn Robinson, Sullivan Tabaracci & Rhoades, Partners in Home Care, BioLife, Blue Mountain Clinic, Sapphire Physical Therapy, Southgate Mall, Community Bank, Hellgate Track, Big Flat Neighborhood